3.1

M3.1 Earthquake 222 km W of Petrolia, CAJuly 21, 2026

2026-07-21 22:40:48 UTC (2026-07-21) · approx. 2:40 PM UTC-8 local

MagnitudeM3.1(md)
Time22:40 UTC2:40 PM UTC-8
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates40.423°, -126.899°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On July 21, 2026 at 22:40 UTC, a magnitude 3.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 222 km W of Petrolia, CA, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 40.4233°, -126.8987°.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 651 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 82 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 40.42°, -126.90°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.1 md
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
40.4233°N
-126.8987°E

Technical Information

Event ID
nc75403337
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
147
Stations Used
25
Azimuthal Gap
301.0°
Min Station Distance
1.955°
RMS Residual
0.34 sec
Last Updated
2026-08-01 01:22:23 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 3.1 earthquake near Petrolia, CA?

The magnitude 3.1 earthquake that struck 222 km W of Petrolia, CA on July 21, 2026 at 22:40 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 3.1 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 3.1 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: nc75403337). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, July 21, 2026). M3.1 Earthquake 222 km W of Petrolia, CAJuly 21, 2026. Retrieved August 1, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/nc75403337/